Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: SICARIUS; signed via M-Theory Audio, hailing from the United States of America - performing Black Metal, on their sophomoric album entitled: "God Of Dead Roots" (Released March 13th, 2020).

Since formation in 2014; the quintet in question have an EP entitled: "Scorch The Earth" (released August 23rd, 2015), and 2 albums...the first being "Serenade Of Slitting Throats" (released October 13th, 2017) and this here second album entitled: "God Of Dead Roots". 11 tracks ranging at around 55:39; SICARIUS arrange an intricately designed formula of heavy-hitting Black Metal developments. "βία" begins the record; with an atmospheric introduction until the blackened instrumentation takes over with fierce adrenaline, amplified bounciness & boistrously crunchy flamboyancy. Fabricating intensely immense fluidity with this crystal clear sound production that's polished while being concretely gnarly, an unprecedented momentum for this sub-genre - while transistioning a borderline foundation of uniquely vehement versatility. Embellishing extremely chaotic chugs, galloping haste & experimental finesse.

Consisting of K. Karcass on vocals; the frontman excels with a profusely robust ramification of vemonously throaty snarls that scream with rawly rough motivation, manifesting primitive soars that rage with bloody growls and guttural pipes - showcasing raspy lungs of ominous malice. "Open Fire" does exactly that, shredding trailblazing rhythms that rivet with rocketing punchiness. Guitar duo Merihim & Grimnir explode exhilerating harmonies; crafting blistering thunder that portray monstrously meaty weight, revolved around a sonically seamless oscilliation of tight sharpness & wild precision. Rapidly swifting with nimble potency, volatile quirkiness & snappy virtuosity. Quintessentially quaking meticulous melodies that strike with jumpy substance, organic pandemonium & ruthlessly charged grooves. "Immortal Plight" implements hostile executions; elementing diligently detailed dynamics, complex dexterity & a barraged frenzy of riveting yet rocketing rhythms.

While the razor-sharp savagery of the twin-guitar lacerations are in full-throttle perseverence; the piledriving persistency continues forging frantic energy, and a battalion dimension of wildly rushing rampages. Salubriously stampeding with demonic hybrids, blast beating firepower and battering immensity. Intensely injecting infectiously-driven audibility from frolicking bassist Carnage; pulsating with thumpy solidities, steely synergies & ravagingly relentless mayhem. "Culling The Headless" establishes darker carves, creating a deadly contrast of dominating yet unhinged malevolence – materialized into a hardened onslaught of brutal havoc & total ruination. Powerhouse pummeller BZ hammers his drums into a grinding grandure of sinister pedalling while pounding with outrè panache, rambunctious subjugation and consistently crushing retribution...uncompromised with remarkably sophisticated systematics...especially in "Nekromanteia".

Advancing into "A Practiced Hand"; each member supplies remedious musicalities that triggers strong rumbling with speedy stability merging thrashy maelstroms of ritualistic tribulations, suffering eardrums into a blazing force of eternal noise terror. "Pagan Vestige(s)" compiles a chunky slab of viciously bombastic combustion; exploding necks with no remorse, and hell-raising rebellion. It's almost as if SICARIUS juxtapose these various transistions with proficiently performed clarity, amalgamating the moody vibes of blackened death-thrash with utmost weight. The titular track sulphurously distils an enriching embodiment of constructively distinctive distinguishments, enlightened with nasty yet upbeat filth and a fulfilling calamity of prodegiously devilish characteristics...

The penultimate song: "Scythe Bearers" is an aggressively fiendish slasher; scattering silver-lining hooks, gripping furocity and a bunch of mid-tempo velocites that will make anyone break chairs over other chairs. The most surprising thing with this soothingly relishment of metal sublimity; must be its gritty flair of oozing overarchs of variation, hinted distortion (but impressively masking that style with well-skillful tones) and just pleasing talent that roars with remarkably splendid potential. Overall concluding "God Of Dead Roots" with the finale epic: "Tombs"; a 13:06 belter...bizarrely integrates a large gap of silence inbetween it, at the start and end - however - provides more mellifluous yet mandatory euphony. Bulldozing with momumental malignance, mighty results & just prodegiously wonderous severity that slams with total subtlety.

Bottom line; SICARIUS certainly exceeded my original expectations here, "God Of Dead Roots" definitely captivates with old-school yet merciless passion. It's an entertaining discovery that will have your soul headbanging, and enjoying an artistic array of killer mortality. My copy didn't come with the BATHERY cover entitled: "Raise The Dead"; I am sure that it is a bruiser, however. Other than that - do check the record out!